A little late posting this, again, but this week there are seven new movies opening. There are four opening everywhere and three in limited release.
Opening Nationwide on Thursday, February 22nd:
Movie: Be Kind Rewind (PG-13)
Starring: Jack Black, Mos Def, Danny Glover, Mia Farrow & Melonie Diaz
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: A guy thinks his local power plant is melting his brain, so he decides to sabotage it. In doing so, he creates a magnetic field that erases all the videotapes at the movie rental place his best friend works at. He doesn’t want his friend to loose his job, so he and his friend set out to re-film every movie the stores only real customer wants to rent. In doing so, they become stars in their neighborhood by starring in their own versions of some of the biggest movies ever made, like Back to the Future, Driving Miss Daisy and Robocop.
First Thoughts: It is an interesting and different way to go about making a movie that looks to basically spoof well-known movies. Couldn’t be worse than movies like Epic Movie or the recent Meet the Spartans.
Movie: Charlie Bartlett (R)
Starring: Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey, Jr., Hope Davis, Kat Dennings, Tyler Hilton, Mark Rendall & Megan Park
Genre: Teen Dramedy
Synopsis: A young man that has been kicked out of private school after private school gets sent to public school. At first, things are not good, but he quickly realizes that many of his fellow students are in need of help. He starts up his own business, where he becomes an underground shrink and listens to his fellow students problems. He then takes them as his own to his therapist and returns with the solutions offered, including prescriptions. While doing so, he falls for the alcoholic principal’s daughter, who just happens to be trying to track down who is behind things at his school. Things start to go downhill, but he finds that there is more to helping people than giving out pills to solve their problems.
First Thoughts: This might actually be the best option this weekend, but I will be heading out to see Vantage Point.
Movie: Vantage Point (PG-13) (Read Review)
Starring: Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver & William Hurt
Genre: Action Thriller
Synopsis: The president is shot, but has he. Two secret service agents assigned to protect the president try to piece together what is going on. Others in the crowd, the media and the agents all hold a piece o the puzzle. The story is told from each of their perspectives and with each piece the truth behind the assassination is revealed.
First Thoughts: This is the movie that I have been looking forward to seeing for quite some time, as the trailer and commercial have been running forever. Again, as with last week, the 90-minute runtime worries me. Another big cast, but small runtime. I must be a glutton for punishment, as I will be at the theater tomorrow to watch this.
Movie: Witless Protection (PG-13)
Starring: Larry the Cable Guy, Ivana Milicevic, Yaphet Kotto, Peter Stormare, Joe Mantegna, Eric Roberts & Jenny McCarthy
Genre: Comedy
Synopsis: A small town sheriff sees a beautiful and classy woman seemingly being held hostage by four men in black suits. He sets out to save the day and kidnaps her. It turns out that she is actually under witness protection and on her way to testify in Chicago. But, when he finds out, he still thinks the agents protecting her are dirty and sets out to get her to Chicago himself. Comedy is supposed to ensue.
First Thoughts: On stage, Larry the Cable Guy is hilarious, in movies, not so much.
Movies in Limited Release:
- The Counterfeiters – War drama based on a true story about the German Reich turning two concentration camps into counterfeiting operations to flood their enemies economies with fake currency. The people at the camps had to decide between going along with the plan and possible survival and sabotage and certain death. This one looks really good.
- The Duchess of Langeais – Romantic period drama set in 1820s Paris.
- The Signal – A sci-fi horror thriller about two lovers that must go on the run when a mysterious signal starts turning people into murderous maniacs.
U2 3D expands to more theaters this week.
For New Movie Friday there are five new movies this week to choose from. They are Be Kind Rewind, Charlie Bartlett, The Signal, Vantage Point and Witless Protection. What new movie will you be heading out to see this week?
